Humboldt County, California
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Humboldt County is a county located on the northwest coast of California, on the Pacific Ocean. As of the 2000 census, the county had a population of 126,518. The county seat is Eureka.
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History
Humboldt County was formed in 1853 from parts of Trinity County.
The county derived its name from Humboldt Bay, which was entered by a sea otter hunting party in 1806, but was not rediscovered until 1849. In 1850, Douglas Ottinger and Hans Buhne entered the bay, naming it Humboldt in honor of the great naturalist and world explorer, Baron Alexander von Humboldt.
The area around Humboldt Bay was once inhabited by the Wiyot Indian tribe. One of the largest Wiyot villages, Tolowot, was located on Gunther Island (AKA Indian Island) in Humboldt Bay. Founded circa 900, it contains a shell midden 6 acres (24,000 m²) in size and 14 feet (4 m) deep. It was the site of the February 26, 1860 massacre of the Wiyot people that was recorded by Bret Harte, then living in Arcata. Between 60 and 200 Wiyot men, women, and children were murdered that night. Tolowot is now an archeological site, designated "Gunther Island Site 67", and is a National Historic Landmark.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 10,495 km² (4,052 mi²). 9,253 km² (3,572 mi²) of it is land and 1,243 km² (480 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 11.84% water.
Located in Humboldt County is Cape Mendocino, the westernmost point in California, with a longitude of 124 degrees, 24 minutes and 30 seconds.
Cannabis
It is widely believed that the largest cash crop in Humboldt County is cannabis, although specific figures are hard to come by due to its illegal status in the United States.
Government
- City of Arcata
- City of Blue Lake
- City of Eureka
- City of Ferndale
- City of Fortuna
- City of Rio Dell
- City of Trinidad
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 126,518 people, 51,238 households, and 30,640 families residing in the county. It is estimated that by 2003, the population in Humboldt County will encrease to only 127,915. The population density is 14/km² (35/mi²). There are 55,912 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (16/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 84.71% White, 0.88% Black or African American, 5.72% Native American, 1.65% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 2.45% from other races, and 4.39% from two or more races. 6.49% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 51,238 households out of which 28.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.10% are married couples living together, 11.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.20% are non-families. 28.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.20% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 2.95.
In the county the population is spread out with 23.20% under the age of 18, 12.40% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $31,226, and the median income for a family is $39,370. Males have a median income of $32,210 versus $23,942 for females. The per capita income for the county is $17,203. 19.50% of the population and 12.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.50% of those under the age of 18 and 7.20% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
- Alderpoint
- Arcata
- Bayview
- Blue Lake
- Briceland
- Cutten
- Carlotta
- Eureka
- Ferndale
- Fortuna
- Garberville
- Harris
- Humboldt Hill
- Hydesville
- McKinleyville
- Miranda
- Myrtletown
- Myers Flat
- Phillipsville
- Pine Hills
- Redway
- Rio Dell
- Shelter Cove
- Trinidad
- Westhaven-Moonstone
- Weott
- Whitethorn
- Willow Creek
Educational & cultural institutions
Points of Interest
- Humboldt Botanical Garden
- Humboldt County is part of the Emerald Triangle, producing large quantities of marijuana.
The County is served by these and other fine schools: Arcata High School, Eureka High School, Fortuna High School, Jacoby Creek Elementary School, McKinleyville High School, South Fork High, Saint Bernards High School, Terra Madre Alternative School, Weott Elementary School, and Redway Elementary School.
External links
- Humboldt County website (http://www.co.humboldt.ca.us/)
- Open Directory Category Page for Humboldt County, California (http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/California/Counties/Humboldt/)
- California Highway Patrol (http://www.chp.ca.gov/)
